Dedicated to protecting the environment, enhancing human, animal and plant ecologies, promoting the efficient use of natural resources and increasing African American participation in the environmental movement.

Monday, July 30, 2012

AAEA Challenges NY & Conn Attorneys General on Clean Air

Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman have teamed up to improve air quality, an especially formidable challenge in densely populated communities clustered near major highways like I-84, I-95, Route 8/25 and the Merritt Parkway.

The duo recently won a federal lawsuit to compel the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to adopt updated air standards for harmful particulate matter -- commonly referred to as "soot" pollution -- by Dec. 14, 2012.

Although this is a good first step, more needs to be done to protect our community's most vulnerable members. Like any agents of cure, Jepsen and Schneiderman are compelled to first do no harm.
In my opinion, that means ending a series of cross-border legal actions both attorneys general have undertaken to effectively try to close the Indian Point Energy Center in New York. That facility produces 2,000 megawatts of virtually emissions-free power each day.

Connecticut residents, too, need clean power to illuminate their homes and workplaces, to power our jobs and economy. Given its own issues, taking up arms in a neighboring state seems to be going in the wrong direction. (Conn Post, 7/27/2012)